5 Questions: Arif Chowdhury

In our latest 5 Questions with an Expert interview, we hear the inspiring journey of our VP of CoMET, Arif Chowdhury! Arif shares how he has persevered in his career, his experience managing a massive $100M+ project, and tips for successful team collaboration.

1. Could you start by sharing some background about yourself, including how you got started in this field and what motivates you most in your work?
My interest in engineering began at a young age when I was inspired by my oldest brother's engineering career. Funny thing is, at that time, I didn't even know what an engineer does or what it takes to become one! Fast forward fifty years, and here I am working at HVJ. My engineering education started with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh. After working for a few years as a civil engineer in Bangladesh, I moved to Texas A&M University for graduate studies, where I earned a master's and a doctorate in engineering. I decided to specialize in Pavement & Materials Engineering and Highway Construction, and I have been in this niche of Civil Engineering ever since. I've worked as a research engineer at TTI, a construction engineer at TxDOT, and now as Vice President of CoMET at HVJ.

It's been quite a long journey! Starting my career wasn't easy. Back then, some of my choices were influenced by my immigration status as an international student in the USA. I couldn't accept jobs wherever I wanted. Although I had opportunities to switch to higher-paying roles, I didn't because of my passion for my specialization. My appreciation for it grew as I saw the real-world applications of my knowledge and of my peers' work in the industry. It's fulfilling to know that our work in improving transportation enhances the lives of countless people every day.

2. Please share your role at HVJ. What do you consider essential for success in this position, and which part of your work or daily routine do you enjoy the most?
I have been with HVJ's South Central office for almost six months, during which time my role has evolved to meet the needs of our team. I currently lead construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) projects, conduct business development for CoMET and other departments, and occasionally assist other departments (Pavement and Geotech) with my expertise.

As is probably true for most jobs, dedication and commitment are important in my role. We will always encounter unexpected challenges, but a strong support system and dedicated team make all the difference. Before HVJ, most of my career was with government agencies and academic research environments. Working in the consulting industry is somewhat uncharted territory, so I've learned much over the past six months. My favorite part has been my direct work in the field to resolve technical issues and apply my expertise to mitigate or solve problems.

3. Could you briefly describe one of your recent projects and what you found most interesting or rewarding? What was the most significant achievement resulting from the project?
Since I am relatively new to HVJ, a project that comes to mind as most interesting and rewarding is from my role as a TxDOT project manager. It was a construction project on the southeast side of San Antonio to build two direct connectors between IH 10 and IH 410 and improve other components. The project was over $100 million. It was the largest and most complex project I have ever led as a Project Manager. I had to coordinate with many different stakeholders with conflicting demands. I worked with various parties to resolve numerous technical, contractual, public, and motorist-related issues. However, it was highly satisfying to see the end result, which was a significant reduction in traffic congestion when both direct connectors opened to motorists. Motorists now save time while safely passing through this critical freight corridor, and I saw the fruits of all that hard work come to life.

4. Which other disciplines do you frequently collaborate with on projects? What do you consider most essential for successful collaboration?
Besides engineering, I often work with admin, finance, marketing, and HR teams. Each discipline has its own communication style and often uses its own jargon, which can lead to misunderstandings. Honestly, we engineers are often not very good at communicating. Sometimes, there are conflicting priorities among departments.

Through professional learning and mentorship, I've learned effective communication strategies such as:

Clarifying what I need from them and what they need from me.
The importance of setting shared goals
Defining roles clearly to ensure accountability
How to interact frequently with colleagues from other departments to break down the "silos"

5. HVJ prioritizes continuous learning, personal growth, and mentorship. How have these values helped you build leadership skills needed for your daily tasks or complex projects?
I mentioned earlier that working with a support system is essential for navigating tough times. Mentorship is one part of that support system, including helping mentors and mentees. Continuous learning is crucial in today's fast-paced world. Whether through formal or informal methods, it helps develop technical expertise, managerial skills, or even leadership abilities. Formal learning through seminars and workshops also offers networking opportunities, increasing the chances of future opportunities.

A recent example from my participation in HVJ’s Generative Leadership Program (GLP) training taught me how to handle "unknowns" and identify opportunities during uncertain times. Project management and leadership training teach effective and efficient project oversight and help develop skills in leading others, inspiring team members, and bringing out their best.